Blasts and Low-Flying Aircraft Heard in Venezuelan Capital Caracas City
Witness testimonies emerged of multiple blasts and the noise of low-altitude planes in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday morning. The situation has led to allegations from the Venezuelan leadership and calls for international intervention.
Venezuela Condemns United States of Aggression
Venezuela's socialist administration has accused the United States of an act of "imperial aggression," claiming that ex- President Trump supposedly ordered military strikes against the South American state. In an public declaration, the authorities confirmed that strikes had hit the capital and several other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"Our sole aim of this attack is to take control of Venezuela's natural resources, notably its oil and minerals," the statement declared.
Venezuelan officials urged the global community to censure the actions, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of global law" that placed numerous of lives at risk in danger.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Bases Hit
Locals reported feeling roughly seven detonations around 2:00 AM in the morning. People in various neighborhoods allegedly rushed into the open.
"The earth trembled. It was terrifying. We heard explosions and planes in the area," said one witness.
Smoke was reported pouring from key defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to have a residence.
International Condemnation
The president of bordering Colombia, stated on social media that "At this moment they are bombing Caracas... bombing it with missiles." He demanded an immediate emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the Security Council, announced it would initiate security protocols at its border with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
The alleged attacks are preceded by a extended military buildup by the US against the Maduro administration. Since August, authorities reported a substantial naval deployment off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of strikes on ships accused of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has announced "the implementation of external threat" and ordered all national defence measures to be implemented. It has also called on its citizens to protest and "reject this foreign act."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense did not immediately addressed requests for clarification regarding the events.